Ardiles: Aguero will win Golden Boot

Ardiles believes Sir Alex Ferguson will lead his new team to title No. 20, but that Aguero will have a big influence on the title race.

Ardiles said at the launch of the new book on the history of all 19 of Manchester United's league titles: "Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney are No. 10s who can drop deep and create as well as score goals. And, while Sergio can also do that, he is a goalscorer, he loves scoring and he will score plenty of goals in English football.

"He scored around 24 goals last season in an average Atletico side, while Messi and Ronaldo were scoring freely in the best two teams in La Liga. Now Sergio is in England with a very good team, he will be up there scoring and will be England's top goalscorer, for sure.

"Sergio has the ability and the talent to go all the way. But, as far as Messi? No, not quite that far. For me Messi is now the best player there has ever been, and I never thought I would say there was a better player than Diego Maradona, but now there is - Messi."

The £200,000-a-week striker announced his arrival in England with a breathtaking two-goal debut against Swansea City on Monday and also provided an assist for David Silva after being introduced as a second-half substitute during the 4-0 victory at Eastlands.

In spite of this dazzling display, City boss Roberto Mancini warned that Aguero remains short of full fitness having spent the summer playing for his country at the Copa America. But Ardiles said: "That is just the start, I am sure. He reminds me of Jimmy Greaves the way he loves scoring and scores with such ease."

• '19' is published by Empire Publications on September 1, to pre-order for just £12, go to www.empire-uk.com